Sex drive, attachment style, relationship status and previous infidelity as predictors of sex differences in romantic jealousy

Recent research examining sex differences in jealousy suggests that more men than women tend to be distressed by sexual infidelity, and that more women than men tend to be distressed by emotional infidelity. The primary explanation for these findings is that evolution has shaped men’s and women’s responses to enhance their chances of reproductive success. However, within-sex differences are also found in terms of relative level of distress at sexual or emotional infidelity. This study examined the effect of alternative variables, particularly those associated with attachment and sexual motivations, on both between- and within-sex differences in relative distress at sexual and emotional infidelity. A community sample of 437 adults provided data using a self-report questionnaire. The results showed that sex drive was a significant predictor of distress at jealousy for both men and women, while attachment avoidance and previously being the victim of a sexual infidelity were significant predictors for men only, and relationship status was a significant predictor for women only. Overall, these findings support the evolutionary model of jealousy, and suggest that sex-specific evolved psychological mechanisms underpinning jealousy are influenced by attachment and sexual motivations.     

Culture and accountability in negotiation: Recognizing the importance of in-group relations

We extend Gelfand and Realo’s (1999) argument that accountability motivates negotiators from relationally-focused cultures to use a more pro-relationship approach during negotiations. Our research shows that the effect they predict is found only when the other negotiating partner is an in-group member. Specifically, in two studies involving participants from China (a relationally-focused culture) and the US (a less relationally-focused culture), we found that only when negotiating with an in-group member are Chinese participants under high accountability more likely to use a pro-relationship approach than those under low accountability. Consequently, the differences between Chinese and American participants in the use of a pro-relationship approach occur only when they negotiate with an in-group member under high accountability. The strong attention to relationships, however, results in higher fixed-pie perceptions and lower joint gains. The implications of our findings for theory and practice are discussed.     

联系可觉察度对错误记忆的影响

本研究采用DRM词表学习法和图片刺激对学习法两种研究范式考察了关键诱饵与学习项目间联系可觉察度对错误记忆的影响。结果显示,学习项目与关键诱饵的联系可觉察度对错误记忆起重要作用:在词表学习范式中,随着联系可觉察度的提高,被试觉察到的词表的关联性更高,错误记忆就更容易发生;在刺激对学习范式中,随着联系可觉察度的提高,学习项目和关键诱饵间的差异区分性提高,导致二者间的关联性降低,从而减少错误记忆。本研究为进一步揭示错误记忆的机制、更好地理解记忆及其机制提供了新的证据,并对如何提高记忆效率具有一定的实际应用价值。     

Experts,Novices, and the St. Petersburg paradox: Is one solution enough?

Although the controversy over the correct solution to the St. Petersburg paradox continues in the decision making literature, few of the solutions have been empirically evaluated. Via the development of alternative versions of the St. Petersburg game, we were able to empirically test some of these solutions. Experts and novices behaved in accordance with Treisman's expectation heuristic when bidding for the right to play the various versions of the St. Petersburg game. When subjects were asked their preferences among the game versions. novices continued to behave in accordance with the expectation heuristic but a plurality of experts seemed to follow another strategy. This preference reversal and its implications and possible causes are thoroughly discussed. An alternative theory which mimicks the expectation heuristic is considered, and generalizations of the expectation heuristic and the St. Petersburg Paradox for z-sided 'coins' (where z is any integer greater than or equal to 2) are presented. It appears that no one solution is yet rich enough for the St. Petersburg paradox.     

A Prevalence Study on Internalizing Problems Among Primary School Children in Hong Kong

Studies in Hong Kong indicated that there is a tendency for young children to use internalizing as a means to cope with their daily difficulties. Mother–child relationship has been seen as a factor affecting a child’s adaptive coping skills. In this study, we explored the prevalence of internalizing problems among primary school children in Hong Kong, as well as the mother–child relationship that contribute to children’s internalizing problems. Data used to assess the internalizing behavior among 1598 primary school children were collected from their mothers. The estimated prevalence of internalizing problem was 11.4%. This prevalence was based on the cutoff point for internalizing disorders according to the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The CBCL internalizing score was significantly correlated with mother–child relationship as measured using the Parent–Child Relationship Questionnaire (PCRQ). Results from the PCRQ indicated that children’s internalizing problems were positively correlated with mother’s use of verbal punishment and rejection as well as their possessiveness and protection on their children. On the other hand, a nurturing and intimate relationship between mother and child was an important factor contributing to the development of mentally healthy children. Implications of this study and suggestions for further research were discussed.     

To whom do positive norm and negative norm of reciprocity apply? Effects of inequitable offer, relationship, and relational-self orientation

Various theories have been proposed to account for people’s reciprocity behavior in social exchange. The current research is designed to delineate the conditions under which and for whom the relational theoretical explanation is most applicable. We hypothesize that while people in general show positive (negative) reciprocity responses toward favorable (unfavorable) inequitable treatments from others, such a tendency varies depending on the relationship with the exchange counterpart, and their own relational-self orientation. While we used country (China vs. the US) as a proxy for participants’ relational-self orientation in Study 1, this orientation was directly assessed in Study 2. Results from both studies showed consistent support for our hypothesis. Implications of these findings to literatures in reciprocity and social exchange are discussed.     

The unique contributions of motivations to maintain a relationship and motivations toward relational activities to relationship well-being

People experience autonomy when they perceive their behaviour to be volitional rather than driven by external controls. Previous research has studied autonomy in relationships at a general level, focusing on people’s motivations to maintain their romantic relationships, as measured by the Couple Motivation Questionnaire (CMQ; Blais et al., J Personal Soc Psychol 59:1021–1031, 1990). To supplement the CMQ, we developed the Motivations for Relational Activities (MRA) scale, which assesses the extent to which people feel autonomous and controlled in a variety of specific relational activities. The purpose of this study is to examine the unique contributions of general motivations to maintain a relationship (CMQ) and motivations toward specific relational activities (MRA) in the prediction of relationship well-being. Results showed that the MRA and CMQ both independently and significantly contributed to the prediction of relationship well-being (i.e., commitment, intimacy, satisfaction, and vitality within the relationship) and were differentiated by their associations to dimensions of personality and attachment.

Taking Relationship Seriously in Psychotherapy: Radical Relationality

Psychologists who have historically focused on relationships have tended to underestimate the radical nature of human relationship. A “serious” or an ontological relationality would change the nature of psychotherapy. We describe this change in a discussion of two approaches to relationship, weak and strong relationality. We argue that weak relationality, the general conception of relationship in mainstream psychology, does not ultimately take even the therapeutic relationship seriously. We then discuss and illustrate ten practical implications that a strong relationality would have for psychotherapy.

Divine Encounter

“Divine Encounter” is a poem depicting a place-based religious experience.     

员工职业倦怠、应对方式、生活满意度与心理健康的相关研究

目的：探讨职业倦怠、应对方式、生活满意度对心理健康水平的影响。方法：运用问卷调查法测量了南京市移动公司共132名员工（剔除无效后获得有效问卷113份）的职业倦怠、应对方式、生活满意度和心理健康水平。所用工具分别是职业倦怠问卷（MBI中文修订）,简易应对方式量表,生活满意度指数（LSIA）,症状自评量表（SCL-90）。结果：（1）职业倦怠三个维度与症状自评量表总分存在显著相关（0.655;0.502;0.365）。（2）简易应对方式量表中,积极应对方式与症状自评量表存在负相关（-0.134）,消极应对方式与症状自评量表存在显著正相关（0.460）。（3）职业倦怠量表的情感枯竭,讥诮态度和简易应对方式量表的消极应对方式对心理健康有一定的预测效应。（4）生活满意度指数与症状自评量表没有达到显著相关,且该指数对心理健康没有明显的预测作用。